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ELK LAKES RETREAT
3 Days in the Mountains, September 29 – October 1, 2026
Elk Lakes Cabin | Elk Lakes Provincial Park, British Columbia
Limited to 4 participants
Three days away from schedules, notifications and the constant noise of everyday life.
The Elk Lakes Retreat is an intimate backcountry experience designed around movement, nature, creativity and connection. Over three days and two nights, we will stay at a remote mountain cabin surrounded by lakes, forests and dramatic peaks.
Our days will combine guided experiences with plenty of space to slow down, explore, have conversations, sit by the lake or simply do nothing for a while.
Throughout the retreat, we will experience:
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Sunrise yoga and mindful movement
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Guided breathing sessions
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Hiking and exploring
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Creative mindfulness games
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Sensory and haptic challenges
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Sunrise and sunset experiences
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Reflection and journaling
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Photography-based activities
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Free time in nature
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Professional photography documenting the experience
You will leave with memories from our time together as well as a collection of professional photographs captured throughout the retreat.
THE CABIN
Our home for two nights will be Elk Lakes Cabin, a backcountry hut in Elk Lakes Provincial Park.
Surrounded by alpine lakes, waterfalls, forests and rugged mountain peaks, the cabin gives us a simple and comfortable base from which to explore the area.
The cabin provides:
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Wood heat — wood provided
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Propane lighting — provided
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Propane stove — provided
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Propane oven
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Mattresses
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Creek water
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Outhouse
There is no shower or electricity and reliable cell service should not be expected.
The cabin has a maximum capacity of 14 people. Our retreat group will consist of 6 people: Mike, Michelle and 4 participants. The remaining spaces may be booked by other hikers, so we may share the cabin, sleeping area, kitchen and common spaces with other guests.
This communal atmosphere is part of the traditional backcountry hut experience.
GETTING THERE
Our adventure begins at Elk Pass Trailhead in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
Distance: Approximately 9 km one way
Elevation gain: Approximately 200 m
Hiking time: Approximately 3–4 hours
The approach is relatively gentle for a backcountry hut trip and does not involve technical hiking or scrambling, making Elk Lakes a great introduction to backcountry hut travel.
We will take our time and hike together as a group. Participants should be comfortable hiking approximately 9 km while carrying a backpack with their personal clothing, sleeping bag, food, water and other essentials.
Late September conditions in the Rockies can vary significantly, so we need to be prepared for sunshine, rain, wind, freezing temperatures and potentially snow.
DAY 1 | ARRIVE & DISCONNECT
8:00 AM — Meet at Elk Pass Trailhead
We will meet, check our equipment and get ready for the journey into Elk Lakes.
8:30 AM — Hike to the cabin
Our approximately 9 km hike begins. We will take breaks along the way and start transitioning from everyday life into the slower rhythm of the retreat.
12:30 PM — Arrive & settle in
12:30–2:30 PM — Lunch & free time
Time to unpack, rest and explore the area around the cabin.
3:00 PM — Explore Upper & Lower Elk Lakes
Our afternoon will include our Opening Circle, creative games and mindful activities designed to help us become more aware of our surroundings and connect with each other.
6:30 PM — Sunset and Stillness
Weather permitting, we will find a quiet location to experience the changing evening light together.
7:30 PM — Dinner & free time
DAY 2 | EXPLORE & RECONNECT
7:30 AM — Sunrise yoga & breathing
A gentle practice by the lake surrounded by the mountains. No previous yoga experience is required.
After yoga, we will return for breakfast and prepare for the day.
10:00 AM — Hike to Upper Elk Creek Waterfall
We will spend the day exploring the landscape, with opportunities for photography, mindful activities, creative challenges and simply experiencing our surroundings.
5:00–6:00 PM — Free time
Rest, journal, read, explore or spend some quiet time at the cabin.
6:30 PM — Sunset and Stillness
7:30 PM — Dinner & free time
DAY 3 | REFLECT & RETURN
7:30 AM — Sunrise yoga & breathing
Our final morning practice by the lake.
8:30 AM — Closing Circle
A chance to reflect on the experience and what we want to carry with us when we return home.
Afterward, we will have breakfast, pack and enjoy some final free time around the cabin.
10:30 AM — Hike back
We begin our approximately 9 km return hike to Elk Pass Trailhead.
WHAT TO BRING
Everything you bring needs to be carried approximately 9 km to the cabin and back, so pack thoughtfully and keep your backpack as light as reasonably possible.
Backpack & Sleeping
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Comfortable hiking backpack, approximately 40–60 L
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Sleeping bag suitable for cool mountain temperatures
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Small travel pillow or pillowcase
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Backpack rain cover or waterproof liner
You do not need a sleeping mat. Mattresses are provided at the cabin.
Clothing
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Waterproof rain jacket
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Warm insulated/puffy jacket
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Fleece or warm mid-layer
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Thermal/base layers
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Hiking pants
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Comfortable clothing for the cabin and yoga
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Extra underwear
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2–3 pairs of hiking socks
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Warm winter toque
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Gloves
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Sun hat or cap
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Waterproof pants recommended if rain or snow is forecast
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Wool or synthetic layers are recommended instead of cotton.
Footwear
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Comfortable, broken-in waterproof hiking boots
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Lightweight shoes or sandals for inside the cabin
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Gaiters if significant rain or snow is forecast
Food & Water
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Food for 3 days and 2 nights
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Trail snacks
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Water for the hike to the cabin
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Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
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Water filtration or purification system
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Electrolytes if desired
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Personal mug
Water at the cabin comes from the creek and must be filtered, treated or boiled before drinking.
We will provide more information before the retreat about meal planning and any food we decide to share as a group.
Personal Essentials
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Headlamp
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Sunglasses
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Sunscreen
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Personal medications
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Basic personal first-aid suppliesToiletries
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Toothbrush and toothpaste
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Hand sanitizer
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Small quick-drying towel
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Earplugs
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Portable power bank
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Phone and charging cable
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Personal identification
For the Experience
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Small notebook or journal
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Pen or pencil
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Comfortable clothing for yoga and movement
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Camera if you would like to bring one
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Professional photography equipment is not necessary. Your phone is completely fine.
BEFORE YOU JOIN
You do not need to be an experienced mountaineer or have previous experience with yoga, meditation, photography or backcountry huts.
You should, however, be comfortable hiking for 3–4 hours while carrying your personal backpack.
We will be travelling through active wildlife habitat and everyone will receive a wildlife safety briefing. We will hike together as a group and follow appropriate food storage and Leave No Trace practices.
Our itinerary is intentionally flexible. Mountain weather and trail conditions can change quickly, particularly at the end of September. Activities, hikes, yoga and sunset experiences may be adjusted when necessary, with the safety and comfort of the group always taking priority.
Participants will also be asked to provide an emergency contact before departure.
WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR?
This retreat is for anyone who feels the need to step away from their normal routine and spend a few meaningful days immersed in nature.
It isn't about pushing yourself to your limits or filling every moment with another activity.
It's about creating space.
Space to move.
Space to breathe.
Space to create.Space to connect.
And space to simply be present.
Three days. Two nights. Four participants. One cabin in the mountains.
ABOUT YOUR GUIDES
Michelle is a dancer, yoga teacher and facilitator passionate about creating spaces for deeper connection to the body, to nature and to one another. Her work is rooted in the belief that the body holds its own innate wisdom, and that movement, breath and time in nature can be powerful pathways back to ourselves.
She draws from yoga, meditation, embodiment, movement and earth-based practices to help people slow down, connect with their bodies and be more present. During the retreat, she will lead yoga and meditation and facilitate opening and closing circles.
Mike is a Calgary-based photographer, outdoor enthusiast and experience creator whose work is rooted in nature, connection and presence. After years of exploring and photographing the Canadian Rockies, Mike began creating experiences that combine photography, mindfulness and time outdoors to help people slow down and reconnect with their surroundings. During the retreat, he will guide the group through hikes, creative activities and mindful experiences while documenting the journey through photography.